Knit
13 For it was You who created my inward parts;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I will praise You
because I have been remarkably and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful,
and I know this very well. Psalm 139:13-14
I have seen a lot of people working on things they haven't had time to do before this pandemic, and the most interesting thing I have seen is the knitting that is taking place. I saw a blanket that a friend made, and it reminded me of all the blankets my grandmother used to make. I made a joke that my friend should knit a pair of shorts for her husband, but not sure I want to see that. My daughter also produced a painting this semester for her art class that focused on this scripture but was also a personal statement. All of this reminded me of this scripture about God knitting us together. If God can knit together such a wonderful creation as us, don't we think that He can do anything? When doubt creeps in and makes us think our circumstances cannot be corrected, or that what we are going through is irrelevant to God, think about this scripture. God wouldn't take His time to knit together something as wonderful as us just to have us unwind into a mess of yarn. Focus on knitting your own life into one that is well-lived.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 15, 2020
Friday, May 8, 2020
Fantastic Friday #732 - Heart
Heart
32 “Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35 So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.” Matthew 18:32-35
Do you think much about how important a part of you that your heart is in your life? Sure, the easy thing is that it is the key mechanism to keep your blood pumping, which impacts a lot. Have you ever sat down and thought about your heart having feeling? You have heard the terms broken heart, heavy heart, light-hearted, strong heart, and hard-hearted. All these types of feelings that someone has show that the heart plays an important role in every aspect of your life. When you get scared your heart can beat faster, and when you are calm your heart beats slower and with each heart beat you can feel the impact on the rest of your body. So, what about forgiveness, some of you know that anger at someone can make your heart heavy and beat at a higher rhythm, but if you loosen that anger, you can feel a calmness come over your heart. That is why this scripture is so telling, it is just a minor part of a parable that really shows the impact of someone's heart and the love that God shows us. Dig deep into the goodness of your heart to forgive others and love God with all your Heart.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
32 “Then, after he had summoned him, his master said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And his master got angry and handed him over to the jailers to be tortured until he could pay everything that was owed. 35 So My heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.” Matthew 18:32-35
Do you think much about how important a part of you that your heart is in your life? Sure, the easy thing is that it is the key mechanism to keep your blood pumping, which impacts a lot. Have you ever sat down and thought about your heart having feeling? You have heard the terms broken heart, heavy heart, light-hearted, strong heart, and hard-hearted. All these types of feelings that someone has show that the heart plays an important role in every aspect of your life. When you get scared your heart can beat faster, and when you are calm your heart beats slower and with each heart beat you can feel the impact on the rest of your body. So, what about forgiveness, some of you know that anger at someone can make your heart heavy and beat at a higher rhythm, but if you loosen that anger, you can feel a calmness come over your heart. That is why this scripture is so telling, it is just a minor part of a parable that really shows the impact of someone's heart and the love that God shows us. Dig deep into the goodness of your heart to forgive others and love God with all your Heart.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, May 1, 2020
Fantastic Friday #731 - Terms
Terms
21 Come to terms with God and be at peace;
in this way good will come to you.
22 Receive instruction from His mouth,
and place His sayings in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed.
If you banish injustice from your tent Job 22:21-23
Do you find it difficult in situations to come to terms with the challenges you face? Do you wonder why it is hard to be at peace during challenging times? What clarity do you come across when you ask these questions of God? It seems pretty simple, but our hearts are hurting and we can get lost in our own problems and worst of all the enemy sneaks in and attacks your mind with these little bad nuggets of doubt. Job had almost everything taken away from him, but he found guidance in the darkest time of his life. When people were telling him to doubt God, he rose above that. He turned where needed to in order to be at peace. We can experience the same peace by relying on God's Word, His historical gifts to us that He has provided, and the promises of what is in store. We just need to be receptive to His instruction and open our hearts to renewal. Take a look internally and know that He has it all under control.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
21 Come to terms with God and be at peace;
in this way good will come to you.
22 Receive instruction from His mouth,
and place His sayings in your heart.
23 If you return to the Almighty, you will be renewed.
If you banish injustice from your tent Job 22:21-23
Do you find it difficult in situations to come to terms with the challenges you face? Do you wonder why it is hard to be at peace during challenging times? What clarity do you come across when you ask these questions of God? It seems pretty simple, but our hearts are hurting and we can get lost in our own problems and worst of all the enemy sneaks in and attacks your mind with these little bad nuggets of doubt. Job had almost everything taken away from him, but he found guidance in the darkest time of his life. When people were telling him to doubt God, he rose above that. He turned where needed to in order to be at peace. We can experience the same peace by relying on God's Word, His historical gifts to us that He has provided, and the promises of what is in store. We just need to be receptive to His instruction and open our hearts to renewal. Take a look internally and know that He has it all under control.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 24, 2020
Fantastic Friday #730 - Criticize
Criticize
10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God. 11 For it is written:
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to Me,
and every tongue will give praise to God.
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
I have seen a lot of criticism this week by others, and I have also found myself criticizing others. Some was necessary for correction, but not all of it was which is where we all fall short. We often forget how much of an impact this criticism actually has and is it necessary. How do you feel when someone criticizes you? Does it depend on the tone of voice, the tone of the email, the words that are used, or the presentation of the criticism? Everything is a factor and when every one of those ways or a majority of them is negative, it can really impact a person and their response. We need to remember when planning on criticizing someone, is it something that will help the person, or is it going to beat them down to a place that you wouldn't want to be yourself. Keep in mind that the criticism we give can be immediately turned back on us, and we need to be careful because we will be judged some day and we don't want to be known as the criticizer who never has anything else good to say.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God. 11 For it is written:
As I live, says the Lord,
every knee will bow to Me,
and every tongue will give praise to God.
12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. Romans 14:10-12
I have seen a lot of criticism this week by others, and I have also found myself criticizing others. Some was necessary for correction, but not all of it was which is where we all fall short. We often forget how much of an impact this criticism actually has and is it necessary. How do you feel when someone criticizes you? Does it depend on the tone of voice, the tone of the email, the words that are used, or the presentation of the criticism? Everything is a factor and when every one of those ways or a majority of them is negative, it can really impact a person and their response. We need to remember when planning on criticizing someone, is it something that will help the person, or is it going to beat them down to a place that you wouldn't want to be yourself. Keep in mind that the criticism we give can be immediately turned back on us, and we need to be careful because we will be judged some day and we don't want to be known as the criticizer who never has anything else good to say.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 17, 2020
Fantastic Friday #729 - Mind
Mind
In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom and to put it in writing:
2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4
The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus. Think about that statement for a minute, a King of Persia who had no reason to give the people of God an opportunity to build the House of the Lord, was influenced by our amazing Father. If God has such influence on people, then why do we doubt His ability to manage any situation we are going through. I know that these times people are hurting and desperate, but how many people turn the Lord in this time of distress? If God can influence a man like King Cyrus, don't you think He can influence our leaders in this world, and can control any situation. I challenge each of you take a moment each day to give thanks for where God has you, and the influence He is in your life. Sacrifice food for a day, yes fast for two meals this week, and pray during that period of fasting that He can resolve the challenges of the virus that has attacked so many. Be a blessing to others and wait for what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
2 This is what King Cyrus of Persia says: “The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and has appointed me to build Him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. 3 Whoever is among His people, may his God be with him, and may he go to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem. 4 Let every survivor, wherever he lives, be assisted by the men of that region with silver, gold, goods, and livestock, along with a freewill offering for the house of God in Jerusalem.” Ezra 1:1-4
The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus. Think about that statement for a minute, a King of Persia who had no reason to give the people of God an opportunity to build the House of the Lord, was influenced by our amazing Father. If God has such influence on people, then why do we doubt His ability to manage any situation we are going through. I know that these times people are hurting and desperate, but how many people turn the Lord in this time of distress? If God can influence a man like King Cyrus, don't you think He can influence our leaders in this world, and can control any situation. I challenge each of you take a moment each day to give thanks for where God has you, and the influence He is in your life. Sacrifice food for a day, yes fast for two meals this week, and pray during that period of fasting that He can resolve the challenges of the virus that has attacked so many. Be a blessing to others and wait for what He has for us.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 10, 2020
Fantastic Friday #728 - Unity
Unity
14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15
I wonder some days why it takes a crisis for people to come together in unity. Every day on the news we hear about how one person helps another and how that impacted several people. Over time they show how just one act of kindness extends to others unknowingly. Are we so blinded by this world that we can't see this daily, or see all the good that goes on without a crisis? I think people tend to get so comfortable in their own lives that they can forget they are a part of the common good. I know for me it all starts daily with being thankful. Thankful for Christ's sacrifice, thankful that God put me in a place of influence, and thankful for my family and friends. Those are just a small number of things that I am thankful for, and we need to remember that we all can come together in unity at any time, not just when several thousand people around you are suffering financially and with illness. Thank about who you are in unity with and don't think that you are above being of one mind and body with your fellow man.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. 15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Colossians 3:14-15
I wonder some days why it takes a crisis for people to come together in unity. Every day on the news we hear about how one person helps another and how that impacted several people. Over time they show how just one act of kindness extends to others unknowingly. Are we so blinded by this world that we can't see this daily, or see all the good that goes on without a crisis? I think people tend to get so comfortable in their own lives that they can forget they are a part of the common good. I know for me it all starts daily with being thankful. Thankful for Christ's sacrifice, thankful that God put me in a place of influence, and thankful for my family and friends. Those are just a small number of things that I am thankful for, and we need to remember that we all can come together in unity at any time, not just when several thousand people around you are suffering financially and with illness. Thank about who you are in unity with and don't think that you are above being of one mind and body with your fellow man.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
Friday, April 3, 2020
Fantastic Friday #727 - Plan
Plan
3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-5
I don't know about you, but I like to have a plan. I like to plan meals, plan outings, and plan my work day. I may not be the super planner that some people are, but I at least like to have an idea of what is coming so I can be prepared for it. I am not a huge spur of the moment type guy, but that is for another day. The latest situation in our lives has caused me learn how to plan around difficulties and challenges that we have not had before. Curve balls are thrown at us in our life and it is how we respond to them that makes a difference many times in the outcome. It is pretty simple to say God's plan is this and we need to operate on faith, it is a whole different world to live it. Living what we are saying is a challenge, but every step that you live in faith increases the reliance you have on God and His plan. Believe me, I did not like His most recent plans with loved ones and family members, but I know my faith in God is what has gotten me through it. We need to remember that if we serve in love and have faith, God will answer according to His plan.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. 1 Timothy 1:3-5
I don't know about you, but I like to have a plan. I like to plan meals, plan outings, and plan my work day. I may not be the super planner that some people are, but I at least like to have an idea of what is coming so I can be prepared for it. I am not a huge spur of the moment type guy, but that is for another day. The latest situation in our lives has caused me learn how to plan around difficulties and challenges that we have not had before. Curve balls are thrown at us in our life and it is how we respond to them that makes a difference many times in the outcome. It is pretty simple to say God's plan is this and we need to operate on faith, it is a whole different world to live it. Living what we are saying is a challenge, but every step that you live in faith increases the reliance you have on God and His plan. Believe me, I did not like His most recent plans with loved ones and family members, but I know my faith in God is what has gotten me through it. We need to remember that if we serve in love and have faith, God will answer according to His plan.
Have a great weekend.
Matt
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